Another week has passed and it’s time for our LA Kings weekly prospect update. This week’s update was highlighted by Akil Thomas. Dealing with injuries in the forward group, the Kings called up Thomas on Easter Sunday and made his NHL debut the following day. In that debut, Thomas had only 3:42 of ice time as the Kings lost to the Winnipeg Jets, 4-3.
Two games later, he recorded his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks in the first period to give the Kings a 2-0 lead. That goal ended up being the game-winner as the Kings held on for a 2-1 victory. It was a wonderful moment considering all the shoulder injuries he endured within the past three years to have a healthy season in Ontario and get to this moment. He became the second Kings rookie this season to have their first career NHL goal stand as the winning goal (Brandt Clarke on 2/17/24 was the other).
#LAKingsLive starts NOW
Baly Sports West
Stream on https://t.co/a3zeMGQrwN & the Bally Sports App!!@LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/czBMcKoT2J— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) April 2, 2024
AKIL THOMAS YOU HAVE SCORED IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/roJKcHM2O5
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 5, 2024
Akil Thomas is the sixth different Kings skater to score their first career NHL goal this season. It is the 12th different season in team history to feature six or more players recording their first career NHL goal and fifth in the last 20 seasons: 2017-18 (6), 2007-08 (6),… pic.twitter.com/CMOqXFeoz4
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) April 5, 2024
That first @NHL goal feeling pic.twitter.com/qXPuHO3qaG
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 5, 2024
“I looked up and he was the first guy I saw, so it kind of meant the world to me.” https://t.co/caWRhjRunx pic.twitter.com/xhWtNRY3tU
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 5, 2024
Here is how the rest of the players did in the pipeline:
Kid Jämsen kääntää pehmeillä käsillään @PelicansFi:n johtoon!
@MTVUrheilu | #Liiga #PelicansFi pic.twitter.com/kDL3uNTQmj
— Liiga (@smliiga) April 5, 2024
Larry's on a HEATER @LAKings | #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/FO6mWcKNEP
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) April 2, 2024
PUT IT ON THE BOARD MARV! pic.twitter.com/OmC1vwyj7n
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) April 4, 2024
Ziemmer's first goal since returning from injury!!!
We missed this SO MUCH @LAKings #GoKingsGo https://t.co/oz1X7SNxgA pic.twitter.com/vRrjaVkfGm
— xy – Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) April 4, 2024
NEVER BET AGAINST SAMUEL FAGEMO#ReignTrain | #ONTvsHSK pic.twitter.com/nkxGgVkGUm
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) April 4, 2024
Taylor Ward and Erik Portillo lead the charge in the shootout.@OntarioReign | #SJvsONT pic.twitter.com/Fz0HtooBmv
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 7, 2024
Helenius drops the gloves and drops Kinal #ReignTrain | #SJvsONT pic.twitter.com/zPjyJELhOu
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) April 7, 2024
3 GAMES BACK, 3 GOALS, ONE TIED GAME!! Andre Lee we love you #ReignTrain | #SJvsONT pic.twitter.com/18XsuHICm3
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) April 7, 2024
Toe drag, backhand, PINELLI SCORES!!#ReignTrain | #SJvsONT pic.twitter.com/yLPLqpHQNh
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) April 7, 2024
Hodgson makes it happen!#ReignTrain | #ONTvsHSK pic.twitter.com/pGgDt3Svid
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) April 4, 2024
Taylor Ward and Erik Portillo lead the charge in the shootout.@OntarioReign | #SJvsONT pic.twitter.com/Fz0HtooBmv
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 7, 2024
Don't ask, just save pic.twitter.com/naj7opY5QP
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 5, 2024
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